DOA Level 4???

[clbarker]

The fire dept. just got paged for a possible DOA. Further explaination was DOA possible Level 4. The medic unit arrived on the scene, disregarded the engine responding with it, and said "Confirmed Level 4, Roll PD". What is level 4?? Is it just the same as DOA, or is it a type of DOA??

Thanks!

 

[senduhelp]

I used to dispatch fire/rescue in a "medium size" city in Northern Va. and we used terms like "Priority 4" which meant EMS was transporting a DOA to the hospital or they were confirming DOA if no transport was necessary. It just means not a working code. It sounds like that is the same thing they are describing where you live.

 

[clbarker]

Okay, thanks! I'm not positive thats it though, because later on the police said he needed a unit to transport to the mourge. Your answer is the most probable.

 

[RiP-HS-]

Did you by chance hear anything about a homicide in the papers or on the news right after that?

 

[Robbyboy]

Here in Onslow County, we use the term Signal 4 to refer to a Fatality on the EMS side. Sheriffs office refer to it as a "Number 1". Use your judgement and most of the time its right... Unless you get contradicted

Cheers and Good Luck

 

[Voyager]

The fire dept. just got paged for a possible DOA. Further explaination was DOA possible Level 4. The medic unit arrived on the scene, disregarded the engine responding with it, and said "Confirmed Level 4, Roll PD". What is level 4?? Is it just the same as DOA, or is it a type of DOA??

Thanks!

It probably means he was really, really, really, really dead. (4 x really)

Seriously, if they requested the PD, it may indicate various methods of death.

For example: (not anyone's particular code)
Level 1: Natural Causes
Level 2: Accidental
Level 3: Suicide
Level 4: Homicide

You can see the need for the PD for 'Level 4'.

Joe M.

 

[kb2vxa]

I suppose finding a DOA lying in a pool of blood with a bullet hole in the head I would say he died under suspicious circumstances. (;->) Sometimes the "levels" are reversed, for example at the airport I worked at they were. A flight arriving under "condition 4" was the lowest, crash not likely, usually smoke in the cockpit which is more common than you think. A "condition 1" was a full alert, crash inevitable, thankfully there was only one (Fedex, ha ha) in the 7 years I was there. No, any landing you can walk away from is a good landing and they did but the plane blew up minutes afterward. Sorry, today's deliveries are cancelled.

BTW, firemen and EMTs are more likely to answer questions than cops so why not trot on down and ask? I'll bet they'll be glad you take an interest in thier activities and you'll get more of a welcome than you expect.

As possibly told by Jeff Foxworthy;
If the county dispatcher taps out your local fire company and you see two guys running down the street carrying a ladder and one has a fire extinguisher under his arm, there's no point asking them any questions about your scanner. On the other hand, if they call for mutual aid and a Dalmatian shows up, you may consider asking the Dalmatian.

 

[clbarker]

BTW, firemen and EMTs are more likely to answer questions than cops so why not trot on down and ask? I'll bet they'll be glad you take an interest in thier activities and you'll get more of a welcome than you expect.

True! I know a few...I'll ask next time I see one of them. I think it was probably the same thing as DOA...there was nothing about a murder or anything! Thanks for all of your responses!

 

[LarryN]

Triage Levels

When sorting patients at a mass casualty scene there are 4 categories/levels of triage:

Level 1- critical
Level 2- serious but stable
Level 3- walking wounded
Level 4- deceased or expectant

Depending on the setting (military/combat, a lots of injured, many injured, or more than available resources) determines what the different levels of care are.

Level 1 usually need immediate treatment but is expected to survive with minimal intervention at first ( more serious burns, controlled serious bleeding, amputations w/controlled bleeding, conscious head wounds)
Level 2 seriously injured but can wait for transport. (simple closed fractures, minor burns)
Level 3 “walking wounded” they can wait much longer for care
Level 4 expectant, most likely going to die with out major commitment of resources.
This would be any patient needing CPR or airway management, uncontrollable arterial bleeding. These patients would need trained medical assistance that would not be initially available during a mass causality.

As the situation becomes less challenging patients will be moved to differing levels. As resources become available Level 4’s may be moved to Level 1.

For example if after initial triage you find 2 Level 1’s a few Level 2’s and a bunch of Level 3’s the level patients could be re-assessed to Level 1 if the resources are there to care for them.

 

[JerGoTV3]

In my area there are a few different ways the i.d. it.

10-7, out of service; 10-66, report of death; 10-67, notify the medical examiner. (those last two could be backwards, but you get the flow.)

If it's Law; listen for a call out of "ID" and "C-ID". Those are detectives and crime scene tech's. Usually that means it could be something like a homicide or even a suicide.

 

[kb2vxa]

Hi Larry and readers,

I'm glad you explained, "Level 4- deceased or expectant" is an oxymoron. (;->)

 

[rja1]

For example: (not anyone's particular code)
Level 1: Natural Causes
Level 2: Accidental
Level 3: Suicide
Level 4: Homicide

You can see the need for the PD for 'Level 4'.

I would think that most, if not all states would require PD intervention in any unattended (by MD) death.

rja1

 

[clbarker]

I figured it out!! Finally...
Level 4 = DOA...Just in case anyone was wondering!

 

[mandlair]

Hi all here in delaware pd is called to all doas! because i guess you never know mike